Confused about primary and secondary skills

Is it possible to make a Ran/Nec such that the toon can have a pet and also summon minions? I'm a bit confused as to whether summoning is only available to necs as a primary skill or if it can be done as a secondary. Can you tell me which is the case? If doable,has anyone tried such a build?

Short Answer:
Yes, you can have both a pet and still summon minions with a Necromancer secondary. I'm sure somebody will elaborate... I'm just very tired atm.

Yes you can make a R/N with a pet, and use the necromancer skills to make minions. However it may be difficult to maintain the minions since you are missing the necromancer primary attribute of soul reaping, where whenever something dies nearby you get energy. The ranger primary attribute of expertise reduces energy cost of skills, not spells. All minion raising spells would cost the ranger the full cost, and the ranger doesnt have the pool of energy to raise a lot or maintain a good minion army.

It may be more effective to go N/R with a death necro build with the 2 pet skills from the ranger skill line.

Hi Neon,

Thanks for taking the time to answer. I can work out the details along the way. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't picking a dead end secondary meaning I'd have to start all over. Thanks again and rest well.

A secondary profession can't use the primary attribute from the profession. In the case of Necros, the primary attribute is Soul Reaping. However, the minion skills all use Death Magic, which is available to a secondary.

Excellent point. I'll explore that. tyvm

You could, but it'd suck.

no worries you can actualy change build and secondary profesions this way you can experiment whit different builds

Yup, you can change your secondary after a certain point in the game (or maybe right away now?). I always like trying new things.

And don't let people, like Moloch above, let you down, because they just can't comprehend the value of fun over "winning". Try whatever you want, and if you have fun, go with it.

I get made fun of by guildies and others for my Paragon sword build, but its a blast and kicks ass, so I use it.

That takes care of all my problems. Haven't played GW in two years or so and seems I've forgotten everything. Thanks all for the gentle reminders.

I suggest that as the more effective route as well.

QFT

I kinda miss the newb days before everyone knew the "right way" to play...

I dont think you'd suck, you'd be different, but a completely doable build. If you are creative and maybe even include Flesh Golem, you could have 2 tanks that are replenishable without new corpses. I believe there are better MM builds, however for running through pve, you'd get through it fine. Heck, let the pet die, raise another minion, then raise the pet back. Hmmm, I might have to experiment a little.

The main problem would be the self heals, there wouldnt be many. Hexors vigor???, Trolls Urugent?? (weak), Eat a minion?? This would be the main problem with maintaining a minion army with this type of build. But hey, knock yourself out, find a fun build to play.

To modify what i said above, the MM N/R would be difficult due to the healing problem and difficulty maintaining an army, unless you just maintain a flesh golem and pet. Healing springs would be too weak and you could use Feast of the Dead, but may be a headache. But making a N/R to be a true MM would kinda stink. But again do whats fun and good luck.

Hexer's Vigor works well, and it's faster than Troll Unguent. You can also use Healing Spring for minion / self healing.

The Ranger perk I like best is [skill]Serpent's Quickness[/skill]. That, plus a 40/40 weapon set, can really expedite your skill usage.

Yes, N/R is not a true MM. You're fooling yourself if you think it is.

It's what it is...and it can work well.

I was referring to R/N MM. If someone actually contends that wouldn't suck I'd sure want to hear their reasoning.

The N/R MM option is also sub-par, but I guess it could be fun if you want to waste two skill slots on an ineffective pet.

Agreed, R/N MM just doesn't cut it.

Again, I don't see N/R as a great foundation for a pure MM. However, if you like using minions, and Death Magic skills in general, it can work out well. It certainly has for me. I'm not a "textbook" MM, but I regularly and successfully operate with minions.

My "ineffective" pet has been a great help to me on quite a few occasions. Especially on solo quests and when I solo farm. Granted, there are places where bringing other skills is more advantageous, and that's when my pet takes a rest.